Yesterday was my very first run while 8 months pregnant! Over 31 weeks along. I cannot express how much joy that brings me. I set a goal for myself to run throughout this entire pregnancy, until this baby boy is delivered. I know that is a rather big goal, as you never know what can happen on this 40 week journey, but it is what I have wanted to do.

When I was told about a month ago that my pelvis is separated, I really thought my running days might be numbered. I didn’t really speak of it in those terms, but in the back of my mind I was slightly panicked. This wasn’t my plan! However, I have good days and I have bad days. I am seeing the Chiropractor two times a week and it has helped immensely. On bad days I behave myself and I skip running. I turn to Pilates and swimming instead. Sometimes, even long walks with my older sweetheart. Yesterday was a good day, so I hopped right on that treadmill of mine. I have had to give up outside running because of the hills. Hills really can flare up my pelvis, which continues to separate even after being readjusted. My OB said this was likely going to continue to happen until after I give birth. At which point, when the hormones have cleared my system, she thinks it will return to normal. Even walking up a hill too quickly can cause some pain. So I modify.

I feel thankful to be a Pilates instructor. It has helped me to adapt to my situation. I am comfortable with modifications and understanding how the human body, specifically mine right now, works. It really touches into all aspects of my life. I understand anatomy. I read voraciously about all aspects of what I am dealing with, about Pilates, running, prenatal fitness, really anything I can get my eyeballs on.

Yesterday while stretching after my run, I could see how my right leg was aligned differently than my left. It was crystal clear to my eye. Which helped me to remember to change my gait and positioning to try to help the situation. I am feeling good again this morning. Nothing flared up from my run and swim yesterday. It is a good day. I was going to get another run in until I discovered that for some reason we do not have any water pressure this morning. Not just low water pressure, but literally, none. Nothing comes out of an faucet. I am taking a rest day at this point. I am not sure when my actual last one was. If I can’t shower I don’t want to be run stinky, I would rather try to be less stinky all day! Ha! I am sure I will get into the pool at some point though.

I have wanted more control over this pregnancy. I was so unsure with my first. I had no idea what to expect or what I was getting myself into, good and bad! I felt a little blind and nervous. This time around I feel so confident. I feel like a seasoned veteran. Things have been entirely on my terms. Same with my labor and delivery plans. I want it to be on my terms as much as I can this time. I am not afraid. When I walk into that hospital I won’t be scared like I was with Jackson, thinking “I don’t think I can do this!” Nope. I know I can do this. I have done it before. It is no big deal. It was over before I knew it. I wish I had this mentality with my first, but you live and learn. In order to grow we must experience. With this baby I do what I want. Please add a sassy head shake to the end of that sentence.

Do you prefer to work out in the morning or the evening? I personally prefer morning workouts. It just starts my day right, I have more patience in general, and I feel great all day long. I am flexible though. I will work out in the afternoon or evenings if I have to. I used to have a pretty set routine with my workouts, until I became a mom.

Since having Jack, over 16 months ago, I have learned to be entirely flexible with my workouts. Especially at first in those crazy newborn days. I started workouts again 3 weeks after delivering him. I usually used one of his nap times that I was awake for. That lasted for much of the 1st year. People have asked how I do it or sometimes make other comments regarding my fitness regiment. Flexibility is key and so is dedication. If I were not as dedicated to it, the rest would not come. I FIND the time, morning, noon, or night. The thought that “I don’t have time to do this” never ever ever ever enters my head. I make the time. Even 20 minutes is better than 0 minutes.

NOW he sleeps until nearly 10. So I have lots of time to workout in the morning. The only time I don’t is when I have my Barre class on Tuesday nights and if I want to go for a run during the week. I usually wait until Jason gets home for that. He is pretty supportive of my passion for fitness. That also helps. I could go running with Jack and the jogger but he really wears me out sometimes and that alone time is nice. Selfish? Maybe. But I tend to live entirely for him so a little selfishness is ok from time to time. When it comes to my workouts, yes I can be selfish! It is important to me that I take care of myself. That Jack can look up to me and think wow, my mom works really hard to stay in shape. I hope I rub off on him in that aspect. That he SEES hard work is good for you. Another thing that drives me to keep up with my fitness.

But when it comes down to it I really love a nice early morning workout. As a matter of fact after I post this I am off to workout. We have no classes or plans today so I don’t have to rush around so much.

What do you prefer? What are your secrets to keeping up with your workouts?

This Thursday will mark THREEweeks since the last time I went for a run. No joke. The day before my food poisoning or whatever it was that happened to me is the last time I ran. I have since been dealing with a sensitive stomach. As recently as last night it bothered me.

In all honesty I have been terrified to go for a run. That 3.2 miles tends to stimulate my digestion. I am absolutely afraid to get a stomach ache while running. I am half mad at myself, half enjoying the break. It is a weird feeling that I am not quite sure how to deal with. I want to run but then the very thought scares me too much. Is this weird?

I have been working out still. I have been using my elliptical a lot, barre class, strength training and toning at home with videos and magazines. I have also been better about giving myself rest days. My husband wants me to go back to the doctor but I don’t know. They said if this was still happening after 2 weeks to return. It is 2 weeks since I visited the DR this Wednesday. I haven’t thrown up in almost 2 weeks but I do get stomach pains and aches on and off. It depends on the day.

I have nearly eliminated dairy. I KNOW I am lactose intolerant. Yesterday I had no dairy, but towards the end of the night I felt ill again. I feel stupid going in and saying “I have a tummy ache. No I am not throwing up. It just hurrrrrrrts! waaaaaaa” I feel so dumb doing that.My husband insists that isn’t dumb but I don’t know. I don’t like being a bother that way.

I am half wondering if it is an ulcer. I read about it online, but I mean you go look up symptoms online and suddenly you have a rare disease that you are sure there is no cure for. You know how it is. Sometimes the interweb is horrible solely for that reason!

My hubby is gone for the week as of tonight. So I will likely put off any DR trips until after he returns. I am kind of hoping it all just stops after Wednesday. Right? Sigh. I have a Mud Run on June 30th so I need to get a few runs in before then……

Well I suppose I have to write this update. I avoided it yesterday. It was Mother’s Day and I was exhausted. I had other things to do.

I ran my race yesterday morning. My mom arrived just before 7am. We headed over. My boys showed up shortly before the start time. Jack looked tired and hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. But he wasn’t screaming his head off. He was a good little fan! Jason woke him up to bring him over.

I ran it. I gave it my all. I decided to not use my app that updates you on your average mile time. On Saturday I had a crappy run and I think when I heard the first average, which by normal means wasn’t slow but still felt too slow for my liking, I got really psyched out. I didn’t want to get that negativity in my head. I did have my Polar heart rate monitor on though, so I could roughly check up on my time if I chose to and was ready for it.

There were a lot of hills. A LOT. Now there are a few beauties on my normal running route but there were several more on this course and they were not little quick hills. That isn’t an excuse but I just wasn’t as prepared as I wish I would have been.

I ran the whole thing, as I expected. No walking. That was really a given though. I can’t remember the last time I walked during a 3 mile run.

I was able to really sprint the last .2 mile and cross the finish line in a nice 26:22. That was about 30 seconds under last year’s 3rd place! WHAT?!?!?I did it, right?

No, other than making my time goal, I didn’t place. As I stated in my last post I had to give it my all and leave the rest up to circumstance. Circumstance won this year. I came in 6th in my age group. There were 72 women in my age group and I came in 6th. In the grand scheme of things that is not bad at all. But it wasn’t what I wanted. I would have died if I had a 28 minute 5k like Saturday morning. I am finding solace in that. This was also my fastest race result ever! That is a personal best!

I also had a fantastic 2nd Mother’s Day! It was really great. I got to see my boys just before I sprinted across the finish line. They were there cheering me on! Jack fed me blueberries as we sat around waiting to hear about the awards. I was able to check my results before the announced the awards so I knew what was or rather wasn’t coming. But I decided to stick around and see the awards given. So we hung out. Jack met some dogs. It was a nice morning. We came home I got ready and we all hung out outside.

Jackson tried my salsa for the first time! Salsa and tortilla chips. It is spicy. But he loved it!

My hubby grilled me lunch. Filet Mignon, red, green, and orange peppers (a fave of mine!), and a red potato. After lunch I took a nap! Then we spent the rest of the day just lounging around the living room watching movies and playing.

The boys gave me a pepper set and a rub set from Dean and Deluca! I used one rub on my steak yesterday. Yummmmy! I am big into pepper so that was right up my alley. There are all sorts of different peppers I haven’t heard of in it. I can’t wait to use it in some of the homemade seasonings I make.

The next race I have is the Dirty Girl Mud Run on June 30th. I am on a team for that so I doubt I will be worrying about time. I mean it would be kind of a jerk move to ditch all of my teammates just to try to be the best! haha I think I will take it easy on that one, have fun, get filthy, and take some ridiculous photos! 🙂 I am running it with my aunt and a couple of girlfriends I haven’t seen in a very long time. I would rather catch up with them and have a silly time. I think it will feel nice to just enjoy myself.

My boy and me on our 2nd Mother’s Day! He looks annoyed because as you can see, I interrupted his chalk time. But it was Mother’s Day and what else did he expect? Moms get to be extra annoying that day and you have to give into our whims. haha!

Sunday is Mother’s Day. I am really excited about celebrating it this year. Last year I was too. But I had a 3 month old. I was tired. REALLY tired. He did not sleep at night! I actually barely remember last year. So this year I am super excited to celebrate. Jack is such a ball of energetic fun. He walks, runs, laughs, talks, understands what I am saying. Yesterday if I wasn’t looking at him he would move my head to face him and then plant a big kiss on my face or lunge into my arms for a big hug. He is a charmer. I am just thrilled to celebrate with that little guy!

One thing I decided to do, as I have mentioned earlier, is run a race. It is only a 5k but this time it is important for me. I think there is a great chance that I can place in the top 3 females for my age group. I mentioned this before too. However, yesterday I BEAT the time of the 3rd place runner from last year! She ran it in 26:51.

I ran my first mile in 7:06! That blew my best mile out. of. the. water. OUT OF THE WATER! I knocked over TWO entire minutes off of my total 5k time! I ran it in 26:19. Last year 1st place ran it in 25:14.

I was updating my parents about my success last night. My mom is coming to watch me run. It is the first time she is making it to a race of mine. She MAY get to see me win an award at the very 1st one she attends! AND on Mother’s Day of all days! How awesome would that be?

I was telling my dad about how I beat 3rd place’s time. He told me to go for 1st place. I said well I would have to shave another minute off my total time and hopefully my adrenaline gives me a boost.

His response “Then shave it”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I now know where I get my just get it done attitude when it comes to running and fitness. So I guess I just have to suck it up and shave it off.

I want this so badly I can taste it. It is all I can think about this week. TWO days away. But I truly feel like it is still a week away. I know in a way I am getting my hopes up which may lead to disappointment but I have to set this goal for myself. I don’t know who is running it this year. It may not be the same women. It may be someone way faster. If I come in 4th then next year I wont. I would be thrilled with 3rd. But maybe I will surprise myself.

If I don’t and I do come in lower than 3rd at least I tried and at least I set this goal for myself. The best part is even if I don’t “place” I still have built up my endurance a great deal this year. I have repeatedly knocked my old personal bests out of the water. I now know I can run a 7 minute mile if I want to. I know I can run 3.2 miles in 26 minutes. As cheesy as it sounds I already won in that respect. I am definitely benefiting from all of my hard work, placing or not.

I know I will still be mad at myself if I don’t place. I will get over it and try harder. I will give my little goose a big hug and kiss. Go home and celebrate my day with the most wonderful loving son. His love is unconditional and he will love me and be proud of his momma no matter what. He is the biggest momma’s boy I have ever encountered. I will have that happiness to soak up and lounge around in for the rest of the day. NOW that’s a win!

My little goose and me 🙂

But the very thought of getting an award just makes me smile. I really think I have it in me. I am going to give it all I have, leave it out there on the course, and the rest is up to circumstance.

Yesterday I hit a couple personal best records while running. I am still recovering from some sort of upper respiratory issue. Both my son and I had it. It was not too debilitating but it wasn’t pleasant.

I ran my 1st mile in 8:47! The day before it had been 8:58. BOTH personal bests but yesterday I blew it out of the water. Then I completed my 3.05 mile run in 28:00 flat. Which means I did 3 miles in under 28 minutes.

I am so proud of myself. Ha! I mean, not to boast or anything. Eh, who cares. I bust my arse to workout and stay fit. This isn’t just something I decided to do one day and it came like nothing. I have been working very hard to get to this point.

I was starting to think when I run a smaller more local race there MAY be a possibility of me placing in my age group. That would be so lovely. I would flip out. Obviously this is a huge dream and we will see. I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t happen but the idea is nice. I am running a Mother’s Day 5k on you guessed it, Mother’s Day. So in a little over a week.

I just checked last year’s race results. I did not run it. But I checked the top women in my age bracket. The fastest 3 female times in it were 25:17, 26:24, and 27:29. I could do this. It is realistic. Adrenaline will surely help boost my run that day. It always does. I am always amped up at a race. I shouldn’t get myself all worked up and excited though. I don’t want to be let down if I don’t. This is the 1st race where I can sort of taste it so I am going to pause, think of it once more…………………………………….now I will let it go! 😉 Right???

I have gotten my average mile time to well under 10 minutes. Depending on the day it has been from about 9:15-9:34ish.

Yesterday I ran 3 miles with an average of a 9:24 mile. It was (and still is today) incredibly windy out. It has been sounding like Santa has been landing on my roof for two days now.

When Jason got home I went for a run. I didn’t really want to run. I had a million reasons why I could skip it. How incredibly windy it was outside was on that list. But I finally decided that I should just do it.

I won’t be running today because I have my ballet class. Tomorrow I have an eyebrow appointment at 6. I can go after but it all depends on how hungry my boys are. (For some unknown reason they expect dinner every single day. 😉 Crazy dudes!) Thursday I will run. Friday possibly in the morning, if I have time. I am being picked up around 11 to head to my friend’s wedding for the weekend. I am a Bridesmaid. Saturday who knows. I am still not sure how early hair and makeup will start. Sunday, well I will likely be a bit hungover and I am sure it will be a total no workout day. So I knew I had few chances to definitely get a good run in this week. I had to just do it, regardless of how lazy I was feeling. I did a Core Power Boost workout in the morning before Jack woke up. So this was my 2nd work out of the day.

Like I stated, it was windy! I had some Naked juice shortly before running. I was starving and needed something in my system. So during this run I was fighting the wind and I cramped up pretty quickly since I had drank that juice. As I ran across the boardwalk area that gets very close to the lake I run around, I was hit by a wave of water! YES! The wind was so strong it picked the water up and hit me with it. My left side was pretty wet. My ear phone wouldn’t stay in right because even the inside of my ear got wet. It was nuts.

Despite all of the obstacles I had going against me I managed a 9:24 pace. Not too bad. I was certain I would have a 10 minute pace when I was almost home.

I am working on getting it down closer to 9 flat. I would LOVE to break into the 8 minute pace. But one thing at a time. I am sure I can drop 15 seconds soon enough. I hope to have done that by the end of the summer.

I have no reason to want to do this other than for myself. I am not trying to lead any of the races I run. There is no one pushing me to run faster. I just want to. Plain and simple. I feel like it is this battle against myself. I can run over 3 miles without stopping or walking. I know I can run 5 miles without stopping as well. I did that at the 8k. I know I am strong enough to do these things. I keep telling myself that, even with a stabbing cramp in my left side. Hell, I gave birth with my epidural only working on half of my body. I didn’t scream once. I barely complained. I calmly said once “I don’t like this at all.” I just focused and did it. I can run faster and I can run longer each time I run.

I used to classify myself as a runner. Then I got knocked up and around 7 months I had to stop because his head made my bladder go nutso when I ran. Then I gave birth and nursed for a year. I ran a bit over the summer and into the fall but not like I used to. I had given up the idea that I was a runner. I didn’t do it enough to feel I deserved that title any longer. I did other workouts, mostly at home. So I stayed fit and in shape, but I was missing the running. I am so happy to have gotten back my self appointed title. I have found time for myself. I have remembered that it is ok to be who I am, even though I have a new title (momma). It is good to have time for myself doing something I love to do. I got lost there for a little while. So consumed with my infant. But once toddlerhood began I woke up a little. It is ok to have time apart from him. Even if it is just 28 minutes of a run at 6 in the evening. Yesterday when I walked in the door, and had been gone only about 29 minutes, his face lit up! Being missed is a good feeling and so is running nonstop until you get home to that chubby little face that missed you so.

Yesterday I had my Burn at the Barre class. This is always a favorite day of mine during the week. Two days post Shuffle. I could definitely still feel how fatigued my muscles were. I was never sore from the run, not Sunday night or at all on Monday. But when I had to use all of those leg and tushy muscles last night I could feel how they were not performing up to par.

I kept mentally telling myself two things:

You destroyed your estimated time this weekend, you can do this.

You gave birth with only 1/2 of your epidural working. You felt everything on the right side of your body. It hurt way worse than this does!

I only burned just over 400 calories. Usually I burn over 500. So you can see how I wasn’t working as hard as normal. I wanted to but my legs begged to differ. I did try though. I am hoping that partly it was because she changes the routines each week and we did some things slightly different. Right? A combination of the two I am sure!

Monday I did work out but I did a Long and Lean Bosu work out. It has a lot of stretching and I thought I could use that. It was a a very mild workout and not too long either.

This morning I have swim lessons with my little sweet face. I am looking forward to getting into the water. I am debating a run later but I think I may workout during nap time inside instead. I have a hair appointment at 6. Sometimes Jack naps until 3 and then takes 30 minutes to eat lunch. That is just cutting it close and not really giving him any playtime. Tomorrow we are free and I think we will go for a run after he wakes up and eats. I want to do 6 miles. Last Thursday when I ran with him he started to get antsy after just over 3 miles. I mean you cannot blame the kid. He likes to move and play and sitting there for 30 minutes can be boring. I give him toys but he isn’t overly interested in them when I am running. So we will see how he is doing after the first lap around the lake.

Training with the stroller is really awesome. I am pushing well over 50 lbs between baby, stroller weight, all toys in the stroller, and any of my things (water, keys, wallet, phone, etc). I equate it to taking practice swings with weights on the bat just before you actually bat. You remove that and suddenly you are able to conquer anything!

I have a few photos from the race. From their official photographers. They are still matching photos to runners. The last I checked they were 63% done. I am going to purchase all of my images once they are entirely done. I will post them. The 4 that I have already are really actually great. They are all from the end of the race, two after I crossed the finish line and two from just before. Surprisingly I don’t look totally awful!

It is supposed to be beautiful out. So maybe we will walk to the park after nap time, the far park so I get over a mile walk there and over a mile walk back, plus any workout I do.

Yesterday I ran the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k. 4.97 miles. My official time is 48:46! I ran the whole thing. I did not stop for even one quick walking break. I had predicted I would run it in 55 minutes. That time I what I would have been happy with. I am ELATED with this time!

I had been running and running and I just didn’t feel awful enough to stop. Then eventually I got to mile 4. Why would I stop then? I knew if I stopped to walk with less than a mile to go I would be so mad at myself. I ran this far, what is .97 miles in comparison? It is nothing. So on I trucked.

I am not ashamed to say I am very proud of myself. I destroyed my original goal. I did not quit when I could have. I think today I still have some of that runner’s high you often hear about. I know for a fact I had it all day yesterday. I am so excited that I did it. I put my mind to it yesterday and I was not weak. I also walked over a mile there and over a mile home. On the way back I carried Jackson for quite a while. He is no lightweight either. I swear the kid is at least 23 pounds. I just ran that race and here I was lugging my toddler around the city. I felt like a strong momma.

I have been thinking about what other races I can sign up for. This race was huge. About 40,000 people. It was an experience. I am used to Jason being able to meet me right at the finish line. Literally taking a photo as I cross it. He could not do that yesterday. I had a lot of fun though. I may do a smaller race for my next one. I do want to keep doing the longer races. I am doing the Dirty Girl Mud Run in June. I am so pumped for that. It isn’t just a running race. I hope to be able to use the rest of my fitness skills.

Now it is time to go look up some other races in between now and then!

Sorry I have no photos really of the race. I couldn’t find my camera while we were packing up to head downtown and we had to get on the road!

I do have this one before I left to make it to my corral on time. Jackson was eating breakfast and he wasn’t too happy to be interrupted 🙂

Next Sunday I am running Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. I am getting excited. Yesterday I ran 6.1 miles. Twice around the lake I live on. It felt so great. I had run over 4 miles before, so I knew adding a mile or two wouldn’t break me. I wanted to run more than an 8k to know that next Sunday would be easier than I expected. I think I am there.

I was about halfway done. Rounding the corner that would bring to the last stretch to where I began my run. A man whom I had passed earlier in my run, we were heading opposite ways, rounded the corner as I did. I always smile and say hi to the other runners, so obviously I was going to say hi again to this guy. My comrade in arms. You sort of feel that way when you see other runners out there. I do at least. Maybe I am weird. Anyway, he smiled at me and gave me a little round of applause! So I returned the applause for him. What an encouragement! I had just been debating if I was going to go for the 2nd lap. Did I feel up to it? Once I committed I didn’t want to turn around. I was probably doubting myself when I shouldn’t have been. That round of applause sent me in the right direction. I KNEW I could do it. What was stopping me? Just my silly brain that is all. I am fit. I work out daily. I gave birth and lost all the baby weight in less than a year. I started working out 3 weeks postpartum! If I want to do it I can do it! So I did it and I am glad.

I was hoping I would run (haha) into him on during my 2nd lap but I didn’t. He must have ended his run. Oh well. I wish I could thank him for that silent encouragement. Sure he knew he was encouraging me, but he didn’t know how his encouragement helped me to really push myself yesterday. I always try to live by the rule that you will never regret a workout. That had slipped my brain for a few tired moments, but his applause quickly snapped me back to reality. I would have regretted not giving 6 miles a shot. What is the worst that could happen? I get too tired and have to walk a mile or two home??? That is no big deal. At least I would still be moving. I didn’t have to do that. But if I would have it wouldn’t have been so bad. It was a lovely morning after all. There were tons of walkers out.

So thank you to the man who gave me the encouragement I needed to reach a personal goal! I hope that someone pays it forward to him. I know that I will see how I can encourage a stranger in my life this week. Sometimes all we need is a little unconditional encouragement, love, or a small act of kindness from someone who knows you can never personally repay them.